Business

The December unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.3 percent December unemployment rate was more than November’s 7.2 percent. December’s unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the same month …

A 39-year-old Sturgis man was charged with felony retail fraud and felon in possession of a firearm following his alleged role in a retail-theft incident earlier this month at the Three Rivers Walmart. The arrest was made in Sturgis Township in the 25000 block of U.S. 12. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit and the St. Joseph County Special …

Governor Rick Snyder says the propane shortage in Michigan has “eased slightly,” however supplies remain tight, and the state is working to alleviate the supply problem which has surfaced with the recent arctic cold snap that has hit the state. The governor says he’s directed state agencies to reach out to consumers affected by the shortage, by offering assistance and …

Entrepreneur magazine recently announced its annual Franchise 500 rankings1, naming SERVPRO®, a cleanup and restoration franchise company, to its Top 10 list for the fifth consecutive year. Of the 853 companies qualified for the rankings, SERVPRO® earned the No. 7 spot overall and the top spot in its own industry for the 11th consecutive year. According to Entrepreneur, the Franchise …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the second annual “Discover the Treasures of St. Joseph County” 2014 will be July 26 at Rawson’s King Mill Park in Leonidas Township. The event is a follow-up to the August 2013 event, when a dinner was served inside the Langley Covered Bridge and drew more than 130 people. This year’s …

A job fair for people considering work in the manufacturing industry will take place Wednesday, January 29th in Three Rivers. Hosted by Michigan Works, the event features employers looking to fill positions in the fields of customer service, logistics, engineering, warehouse work and machinists. American Axle and Manufacturing Co. will be one of the employers on hand. Prospective participants must …

Colon resident Ron Carnell has announced the village will be the site of the 45th annual Michigan Magic Day in April. The International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 386 in Colon will host the two-day gathering April 11 and 12, the first time the community will have hosted the annual event. Carnell said around 150 magicians from around the Midwest are …

Four manufacturing companies based in St. Joseph County are among the recipients of $235,000 in training grants. The Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works announced this week that the Skilled Trades Training grants, funded by Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, will assist with training for in-demand jobs. The St. Joseph County companies receiving grant money are Vaupell Midwest Molding and Tooling of Constantine; …

The seven-member Colon Village Council took a tour of the rebuilt Curly’s bar and restaurant following its meeting Tuesday. Though the eatery is a month from reopening following a March fire that destroyed the original Curly’s, the replacement is taking shape nicely, owners Dan and Kathy Earl said. Many of the kitchen appliances are in place, flooring has been installed, …

The November unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by six-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.2 percent November unemployment rate was more than October’s 7.8 percent. November’s unemployment figure was 1.3 percent less than the same month a year …